US5200146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for effecting plasma sterilization
Assignee: Air Techniques Inc
•
Filing: 1991-02-26
•
Granted: 1993-04-06
•
Expires: 2011-02-26
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an invention for effecting sterilization in a plasma of low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, preferably methanol at pressure levels of from 10 mTorr to 10 Torr at RF energy levels to establish and maintain a plasma for a time sufficient to achieve substantial total microbicidal effectiveness.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude A. Goodman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A plasma sterilization assembly, which comprises: a microwave means defining a microwave chamber; means for generating RF energy within said microwave chamber; a sterilization vessel defining a sterilization chamber disposed inside said microwave chamber; perforated tray means disposed in said sterilization chamber for receiving an article to be sterilized; a storage vessel containing a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol; vacuum pump for evacuating said sterilization chamber; conduit means providing fluid flow communication between said sterilization chamber and said vacuum pump; conduit means for introducing vaporous low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol into said sterilization chamber from said storage vessel; and means for energizing said means for generating said RF energy to a level to form a plasma of said low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol and thereby generate micro-molecular concentrations of microbicidal agents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A plasma sterilization assembly, which comprises: a microwave means defining a microwave chamber; means for generating RF energy within said microwave chamber; a sterilization vessel defining a sterilization chamber disposed inside said microwave chamber; perforated tray means disposed in said sterilization chamber for receiving an article to be sterilized; a storage vessel containing a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol; vacuum pump for evacuating said sterilization chamber; conduit means providing fluid flow communication between said sterilization chamber and said vacuum pump; conduit means for introducing vaporous low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol into said sterilization chamber from said storage vessel; and means for energizing said means for generating said RF energy to a level to form a plasma of said low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol and thereby generate micro-molecular concentrations of microbicidal agents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for generating RF frequency is in the range of from 10 5 to 10 15 Hertz. wherein a source of RF energy is between 0.08 to 1.6 KW.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said means for generating is capable of generating RF energy between 0.8 to 1.6 KW.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said vacuum pump maintains a vacuum of from 10 mTorr to 10 Torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including means to modulate said means for generating RF frequency to maintain a temperature in said sterilization chamber below about 160° C. to 170° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said perforated tray is sized to be not evenly divisible by one-fourth of the wave length of an RF source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including cooling means in fluid communication with said microwave chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The plasma sterilization assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including an electrically conductive shield disposed on said perforated tray means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4207286A
Cited
US4756882A
Cited
US4919659A
Cited
US4917586A
Cited
US4931261A
Cited
US4976920A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-05 | 1996-10-05 | 1997-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-05 | 2000-10-05 | 2001-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-05 | 2004-10-05 | 2005-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |